UC DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER AMONG NATION'S FIVE BEST ENVIRONMENTS FOR NURSES

UC Davis Medical Center is one of just five hospitals in the nation recognized by The Advisory Board Co. in Washington, D.C., for creating an outstanding work environment for nurses.

The Advisory Board consists of 2,000 of the country's largest health systems and medical centers. Gathering data from its membership and beyond, the Advisory Board researches the best and worst practices to help member institutions learn from others' experiences.

At a time when many nurse executives are struggling to handle various nursing crises, these five hospitals are managing to maintain low vacancy rates, low turnover and high morale among their nursing staffs, establishing themselves as the hospitals of choice for top nurses in their markets and nationwide.

"This serves as further confirmation of what we already know, and have known for a long time: Our nurses are among the best in the country, and UC Davis Medical Center is one of the best places in the country for nurses to work," said Carol Robinson, associate director, hospital and clinics, patient care services.

UC Davis Medical Center's selection as a "destination" hospital follows the recent renewal of the hospital's designation as a Magnet Center of Nursing Excellence. The Washington, D.C.-based American Nurses Credentialing Center confers the distinction on the basis of the quality of patient-care services and the development of successful, professional nursing practices and strategies. The medical center is one of only two in California, and one of only 39 health-care facilities in the nation to receive the award.